In the context of Myanmar, it is possible that Buddhists, Christians, and Islam belonging to different faiths and cultures can come together to promote justice and peace, which the land and the World are in dire need.
The greatest challenge we often encounter amid war and conflict is ideology that leads toward ultra-nationalism. Ultra-nationalism divides people and brings more violence and conflict to a society that is already tormented by an ongoing situation. In such a situation, minorities, the vulnerable, and the innocent people often become the victims and are subject to abuse and violence.
Under such conditions, people become more divisive, lose trust in one another, and lose hope for the future. Such a divisive culture is not only becoming a threat to humanity but also to the shared values of different faiths and religions. That is genuinely a major challenge being faced by the people of Myanmar.
It is quite timely that the Universal Church encourages collaboration through the movement of Synodality, and (DSS) De Statu Societatis of the Society of Jesus also highly encourages discerned collaboration. Collaboration across diverse faiths and cultures is one of the many ways that foster a just and peaceful society. It is also a possible path that has proven true in the pastoral, social accompaniment of the people tormented by war, conflict, and natural disasters. Working together to reach out to people affected by man-made and natural disasters through collaboration in the field of education and humanitarian assistant has been so effective and realized to be a beautiful way to promote a faith that does justice and a beautiful way to proclaim the Good News of salvation.
In the context of Myanmar, it is possible that Buddhists, Christians, and Islam belonging to different faiths and cultures can come together to promote justice and peace, which the land and the World are in dire need. The mission of the Society of Jesus in Myanmar has been very much on the path of collaboration amid diversity, especially in accompanying the young and the vulnerable. Such a beautiful collaboration has also proven effective in the recent natural disaster (Cyclone Yagi) that afflicted vulnerable people on top of the war and conflict that they are going through.
